Folding mechanism



Nov. 7, 1933.

A. M. ZUCKERMAN 1,933,952

FOLDING MECHANI SM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1951 1933- A. M. ZUCKERMAN FOLDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 14, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 02 B. Q. mw 8 INVENTOR 1933- A. M. ZUCKERMAN FOLDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Fe. 14.

Nov. 7, 1933. A. M. ZUCKERMAN FOLDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 14 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet .4

INVENTOR a 2 q murm l Nov. 7, 1933. A. M. ZUCKERMAN 1,933,952

FOLDING MECHANISM Filed Feb 14, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F'IG.5.

M \M /INVENTOR Patented Nov. 7, 1933 oNirEosr rss PATENT I 1,933,952 I g r I FGLDING MECHANISM i Adolph M. Zuclzerman, New York, N. YL, assignor" to Hoe & Ca, Ina, York, N. Y-.,.-a' c'otnotation of New York; Irving Trust Company,

. receiver I Application February 14,1931; Serial No. 515,668

Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements" in folding mechanisms and particularly conjunction with they are liable to get snarled up; wear outquicl-1- ly, necessitating replacement, and for these and other reasons are unsatisfactory, as stre ching' and breaking. t

It is the especial object of the invention to provide a novel pathway for the products, and 202m arrangement for forwarding the products along this pathway, by the employment of which the useof tapes is avoided, and the products are quicizly and accurately fed to folding position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding arrangement of this'ch'aracter in which a plurality of products may be given a fold simultaneously so as to provide a folder of large capacity. 7 Y

It is a further object of the invention to pro- 36 vide such a folder arrangement ofsimple construction, and in which the parts are readily accessible for replacement or repair if necessary.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in View, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto ap pended. v

In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a front View, partly broken away and partly in section of the improved folder mechanism, the front frame being removed to show the construction;

Figure 2 is an end view shownin Figure 1 looking arrow 2 of that figure;

Figure 3 is a top or plan view of the feeding 50 mechanism shown in Figure 1 taken in the direction of arrow 3 parts of Figure 1 being removed;

Figure 4 is a plan View, partly in section, of the construction shown in Figure 1, the view being taken in the direction of arrow 4 of that in the direction of of the construction of that figure, certain of the figure With'part of the mechanism removed to show the details of construction; Figures 5 to, 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views showing the course of successive products through the cutting and folding cylinders and the folding mechanism by which thesecond'fold is given the products. a Referring now to these drawings, which rep: resent a preferred embodiment of the invention, the various parts of the mechanism may be sup ported in side frames l,.2,,of any suitable or desired construction,- j In accordance with the invention, productsare forwarded from a printing machine-of any usual or desired type, not illustrated, to a folding and collecting device shown in-theform-of a. folding cylinder 3 and a cutting.- cylinder ,fi, where a product is separated from a 'W8b 0'1-' associated webs and forwarded to the folding mechanisms hereinaftermore fully referred to, a cross-fold being given the, product by the cy1in-. ders 3 and 4, which are shown (Figures 5-9) as provided with folding jaws 47,4 1 V In accordance with the invention,- afolding mechanism has been devised wherebythe productis forwarded to and through this folding-=mech-' anism for receiving, an additional fold at right angles to the cross foldrefe-rredto, the-mechanismbeing such that the use of tapes andathe likeis eliminated. While the specific constructionfor eifectingthismaybe varied widely, in; I the particular construction shown the folder mechanism is arranged o'n-anincline and there is provided a firm or rigidsheetpath or guide-- way, preferably of sheet metal, shown iii-thefornrof-a pair of-metal plates-5, 6,- theseplates for a portion oftheir lengthbeing cut out to form an aperture; or slot-7 (Figure 3), hereinafter referred to. i

These guide plates in thebest constructions are inclined, so as to assistin'the forwarding of the products, being suitably supported-in the framing before referred to, and theaproductsare delivered to these plates fromthe foldingcylinder 3 in any suitablemanner In the bestlcon control of the feed cylinder the product passes under a pair of guide rollers 11, 12, pivoted in brackets 13 carried on studs 14 suitably supported in framing 15, in turn supported by the outside frames, as shown at 16 in Figure 4, it being understood that this construction is duplicated on each side of the machine.

(ill

These guide rollers 11, 12 are spring seated rolls mounted on the studs 14 and press the products against a pair of driven rollers provided on each side of the machine and marked 1'7, 18; the rollers 17 are mounted on short shafts 19 supported between the outside frames 1 and2 and the inner framing 15, before referred to; the rollers 18 are mounted on a shaft 97 referred to below; these rolls being driven as hereinafter described. It will be understood that the plates 5, 6 are cut away as indicated'at 20 to permit the periphery of the rollers 17, 18 to extend slightly above the plates so that a contact may be made between the rollers 11, 12 and the driven rollers 1'7, 18 to effect the forwarding of the product. It will be understood that the forwarding-movement imparted to the product by the rollers so far described is simply a feeding and guiding movement, the products being given a slight forwarding movement by this arrangement and by the inclination of the plates.

From the rolls 11, 12, certain of the products are forwarded against a suitable stop mechanism illustrated in the form of a pair of stop fingers 21, 22 supported by brackets 23, 24 (Figure 3) journaled on a rock-shaft 25 supported at one end in a bearing 26 in a bracket 2'7 (Figure 4) secured to the framing 2, before referred to, the other end of the shaft being journaled in a bearing 28 on a bracket 27 in the framing 1 on the other side of the machine and before referred to, these stop fingers being intermittently 5 operated as hereinafter referred to.

The product is forwarded against these stop fingers by means of drop rollers controlled by cam connections, hereinafter referred to, which force the rollers and the product against driven 3 rollers 29 which project up slightly through slots 30 in the frame. The drop rollers, which are marked 31, are carried on bracket arms 32 on a rock-shaft 33 supported'in the framing 15, before referred to. This rock-shaft is provided with an operating arm 34 (see dotted lines in Figure 1), the free end of which is connected to a rod 35 operated through connections hereinafter described, so that the roller 31 is raised and lowered in correct timing to effect the forwarding 1 of the product against the stop fingers 21, 22.

- The particular fol der shown is a double folder, that is, two products may be folded off at the same time. In the machine selected to illustrate the invention, the guide plates .extendbeyond the stops. 21, 22 to a second pair of stops 36,

3'7, these'stops being fixed stops supported in brackets 38 secured to the outer faces of the plates.

stops 36, 3''! by a pair of forwarding and guiding rolls 39, 40, similar to the rolls 11, 12, before referred to. These rolls 39, 40 are supported on bracket arms 41 pivoted on studs 42mounted in the side framing 15, before referred to. These guiding and forwarding rolls cooperate with a "pair of driven rolls 42, 43, similar to the rolls 1'], 18, before referred to, these rolls projecting slightly through apertures 44 in the plates, as best shown in Figure 3. These rolls 39, 40 simply have a slight forwarding action on the product for forwarding it down the inclined guide plates Products are forwarded against these to bring it against the stops 36, 3'7, before re ferred to. There are also provided drop rolls 45 supported in bracket arms 46 carried on a rock-shaft 4'7 suitably supported in the side frames 15, before referred to. This rock-shaft is provided with an arm 48, the other end of which is connected to a rod 49 operated through connections hereinafter referred to.

In the operation of the device it will be understood that the stop fingers 21, 22 at the time the first product is going through the machine are raised, and this first product is forwarded the full length of the folder against the stops 36, 37, thereafter the step fingers 21, 22 are dropped and the second product is stopped against them. After the two products are thus positioned, these products are folded off by a folding mechanism which will now be described.

While the folding mechanism may be of any desired character, in the particular construction illustrated this mechanism includes a pair of folding blades 50, 51 (Figure 1) mounted on a shaft 54 pivoted in a pair of arms 52, 53, these folding blades being cut away, as indicated at 55,

so that they can pass the shafts 33, 47,-before referred to, and which operate the drop rollers. The arms 52, 53 are carried on a shaft 56 suitably supported in frames 1, 2, placed between the side frames 1, 2, before referred to. The shaft 54, before referred to, carriesa gear 57, which engages with a fixed internal gear 58 by which the required rotary tucking movement is given the blades for folding off a product. The ratio of this gearing is preferably two to one so that the point of the folding blade is given a vertical motion. Cooperating with the folding blade is a double pair of adjacently arranged folding rolls 59, 60, 61, 62 (Figure 4), the rolls 61, 62 taking care of the product stopping against the stop fingers 21, 22, and the-rolls 59, 60 taking care of the product stopped against the stop fingers 36, 37. The rolls 59, 61 are carried on a shaft 63 supported in heads 64, 65 and 66,-these heads having an extension or shank 67 journaled in brackets 68 suitably supported to framing indicated at 69. The shank of the head is pinned in a collar 70, and at the other end ofthe collar is pinned a rod 71 supported in the side framing before referred to, and this rod '71 carries on its outer end a worm wheel, indicated at '71, cooperating with a worm on an adjusting shaft '72 provided with a hand-wheel '73 (Figure 4) by'which the shaft '72 may be adjusted. By operating this hand-wheel it' will be seen that the rolls 59, 61 are given an adjusting movement to and from the'rolls 60, 62. In the best constructions, the rolls 60, 62 are adjustable to and from the rolls 59, 61, this being particularly desirable where thick products are to be forwarded. This adjustment may be the same as that described in connection with the rolls 59, 61. As shown, the rolls 60, 62 are carried on a shaft '74, which is supported in heads '75, 76, '77, these heads carrying shanks '78 which are pinned into are provided for keeping a sheet in proper alignment as it is forwarded against the stops. While these side guides maybe of various constructions, they will preferably include a fixed guide on one side of the sheet path and a movable guide on the other sidefand means will be provided for effecting the Jogging movement of thismovable guide to jog or move the sheets against the fixed guides. In the particular construction illustrated and best shown in Figure 4, there are shown a plurality of side guides'85 suitably spaced apart, these guides being supported in the framing 15, before referred to, on one side of the machine, that is, on one side of the sheet path. 6n the other side of the sheet path, jogger guides are provided, shown in the form of plates 86. These plates are carried on supporting arms 87 secured on a rockshaft 88 (Figure 2) secured in brackets 89 secured to the side frame of the machine before referred to, these joggers being operated through connections hereinafter referred to.

With this construction it will be seen that a folder has been provided in which the products are forwarded throughout without the use of tapes, chains or the like,.but that a positive feeding movement is given the products, and the mechanism shown is not subject to chokes or to breakage or disarrangement of the parts, so that a rapid and satisfactory feed of the products to .the cross-folder is obtained.

The various parts of the mechanism hereinbeforereferred to may be driven in any suitable manner, and a convenient drive for effecting the operation of the parts will now be described.

In the particular mechanism described the various parts are driven from the folding cylinder 3, before referred to. This cylinder is supported on a shaft 89 suitably supported on the side frames 1, 2, before referred to, and the outer end of this shaft 90 carries a gear 91. This shaft 90 also carries, inside the side frame 1, a gear 92 which meshes with gear 93 of the feeding roll 10, before referred to. This gear 93 meshes with an intermediate gear 94 on a stud 95 secured in the framing, and this gear 94 meshes with a gear 96 on a shaft 9'? which supports the forwarding roll 18, before referred to. This shaft 97 also carries another gear 98, which through a series of intermediates 99 drive the forwarding rolls before referred to, it being understood that this drive is duplicated on each side of the machine.

The gear 91 on the cylinder 3, before referred to, is in mesh with a gear 100 suitably supported in the side framing 1. This gear on its outer face carries a miter 101, which is in mesh with a miter 102 on a cross-shaft 103. On the shaft 103 are a pair of cams104, 105, which serve to operate the rock-shaft 88 through rods 106, 107, thus operating the jogger fingers 86, before referred to.

The other end of the shaft 163 carries a miter 107, which is in mesh with a miter 108 on one end of a cross-shaft 109. This shaft 109 operates the drop rollers and the folding mechanism through connections which will now be described. The shaft 109 is provided with three cams 110, 111, 112.

Referring first to the cam 110, this cam operates through a cam roll 113, a rock-shaft 114, on which is an arm connected to a rod 116, the other end of which is connected to the arm 34 which operates the drop roll 31, before referred to.

Referring now to the cam 111, this cam operates through a roll 11?, a rock-shaft 118. This rockshaft 118 carries an arm 119 connected to the rod 49',- beforereferred to, which operates the drop 1 01145. a

These cam rolls maybe held in contact with the operative faces of the cams in any suitable inanner, as by the usual spring rod connections 137, 138, shown in Figure 1.

Referringnow to the cam 112, there is shown engaging this cam a cam roll 120 carried on a lever arm'121 loosely mounted on the rock-shaft 118, before referred to." The other end of this lever arm' 122 is secured to a rod 123, the other end of which is secured to an arm 124 on the rockshaft 25', before referred to, this construction operating the stop fingers 21, 22.

In the particular construction illustrated, the shaft 109 is provided with a miter gear 125, which is in mesh with a miter 126 on the shaft v56 of the folding blades, the folding blades being thus driven from theshaft 189. The folding-off rolls, in the particular construction illustrated, are driven rolls 59,- 60, 61, 62 and are driven through the following connections. On the shaft 55, before referred to, is a gear 127, which gear, see

' Figure 2, is in meshwith a small gear 128 on a stud 129. This stud 129 also carriesa gear 130 which is in mesh with a gear 131 on a shaft 132. This shaft 132 also carries a gear 131', see Figure 1. The gear 131 meshes with a gear 133 on the shaft 74 carrying the rollers 60, 62. The gear 131' is also in mesh with a gear 13 1 on a stud 135, this gear being in mesh with a gear 136 on the shaft 63 carrying the folding rolls 59, 61, the fold ing rolls thus beingdriven independently.

The operation of the folder is clear from the showing in Figures 5 to 9, inclusive. In Figure 5, product A has been released by the foldingjaws 4 and has started down the inclined guide plates, and product B is just being taken by the folding jaws 4". In Figures 6 and '7, product A continues its progress toward the fixed steps 36, 3'7, passing under the stops 22, which are in up position to let this product pass. Product B has been released by the folding jaws 4" and is on its way down the inclined guide plates. When the product A has passed beyond the stops 21, 22, these are lowered, 120 and as product A reaches the fixed stops 36, 37 product 13 is stopped by the stops 21, 22. At this point the side joggers 86 are operated to position the products, and the folder blade is thenbrought into operation to' simultaneously fold off both products into the folding rolls, thisposition of the parts being as'shown in Figure 8. a

In the meantime another product, C, has bee folded off the cylinder 3 by the folding jaws 1, and the parts are as shown in Figures'l and 9, the cycle being repeated.

It will be understood that the product lengths are, in the particular machine illustrated, cut by a knife K on the cylinder 4 and tucked into the folding jaws 4, 4" by a folding blade L also carried on the cylinder 4. These parts are not shown in detail as the construction is or may be a usual one.

While a construction has been shown which is a preferred one for carrying out the invention, it will be understood that certain changes and variations may be made in the specific mechanism shown and described without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is: g

1. In a folding mechanism, the combination of means for folding products successively, an inclined product pathway to which the products are successively forwarded, means for feeding the products along the pathway, meansfor stopping a plurality of successive products, means for simultaneously side registering the products, and means for simultaneously giving the products a second fold. I

2. In a folder mechanism, the v combination of a pair of inclined plates having an aperture between them through which a product may be folded off, driven rolls projecting through the plates and contacting with the product, cooperating drop rolls, stop mechanism against which the products are forwarded down the plates by the rollers, means for intermittently operating the stop mechanism, and means for folding off the product. 7

3. In a folding mechanism, the combination of a pair of inclined plates having an aperture between them through which a product may be folded off, driven rolls projecting through the plates and contacting with the product, cooperating rolls, stop mechanism against which the products are forwarded down the plates by the rollers, means for side registering the product on the plates, and means for folding off the product.

4. In a folding mechanism, thecombination of afolding cylinder, a pair of inclined platesextending from beneath the cylinder to which the products are forwarded from the cylinder, driven rolls projecting'through the plates and contacting with the product, cooperating drop rolls, stop mechanism against which the prod-- nets are forwarded down the plates by the rollers, and means for giving the product a fold while positioned on the plates.

5. In a folding mechanism,the combination of means for successively folding products, a pair of inclined plates to which the folded products are delivered, driven rolls projecting through the plates and contacting with the product, 00- operating rolls, a fixed stop mechanism, an intermittently operating stop mechanism, means for operating the latter mechanism to position two successive products on the plates, and means for simultaneously giving the products a second fold.

ADOLPH M. ZUCKERMAN. 

